Local Trio Set for Manx Grand Prix Challenge
Three Kerry motorcycle racers will take on the iconic Manx Grand Prix this week, with hopes high for a strong showing on the famous 37.75-mile Mountain Course.
Ardfert’s Stephen Walsh returns for his second attempt at the prestigious road race, riding a Honda 500 Twin in the Senior Classic and a Honda CB 350 in the Junior Classic.
After overcoming mechanical issues in last year’s qualifying, Walsh is determined to finish the race this time around.
His bikes, meticulously prepared with the invaluable support of local race mechanics Der Rahilly and John O’Grady, and technical support from Assured Power and O’Neill’s Power Tools, are now race-ready.
“Without all this help I would not be going,” said Walsh.
“I qualified last year but had mechanical troubles and could not race. A huge amount of work has gone into both bikes for this year. My aim is to qualify and finish with both races. I cannot wait to launch down Bray Hill again.”
Making their Manx Grand Prix debuts are Darragh Crean and Andrew Murphy.
Crean, who has been competing in British Superbike Championship support classes, will ride an Aprilia SuperTwin in the Junior and a Yamaha R6 in the Senior.
Murphy, meanwhile, will compete in the Ultra Lightweight class aboard his Honda VFR NC30.
Despite facing recent mechanical challenges at Mondello Park recently, he has managed to get his bike race-ready and is eager to tackle the daunting Mountain Course.
“I am both nervous and excited at the same time,” said Murphy. “It is a big deal. There is a lot of planning and organisation just to get one bike to the island.”
The Manx Grand Prix runs from August 17 to 25.
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